Work on Acharya
Prafulla Chandra Ray
A decade-long body of research, writing, filmmaking and public engagement by Prof. Rajeev Singh commemorating the father of Indian chemistry — the polymath who founded Bengal Chemicals in 1901, taught generations at Presidency and Calcutta University, and shaped India's swadeshi scientific imagination.
"A revolutionary in the garb of a scientist — Acharya P.C. Ray taught us that chemistry, character and country are one continuous experiment."
The Legendary Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray
The Legendary Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray
A definitive Indian-English biography weaving together the science, the nationalist thought and the everyday life of Acharya P.C. Ray. Written by Rajeev Singh for the widest possible readership — students, teachers and general readers.
- Released by Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Hon'ble Minister of State for Education, Government of India
- Prescribed for Vidyarthi Vigyan Manthan (VVM) — India's largest school science talent examination, jointly run by Vigyan Prasar, NCERT & Vijnana Bharati
- Officially translated into 11 Indian languages — carrying P.C. Ray's story into every major Indian classroom
Science India Collector's Edition
Revolutionary in the Garb of a Scientist, published by Vijnana Bharati. The coffee-table book edition was gifted to every one of the thousands of participants at India International Science Festival, Goa 2021.
Read in Science IndiaP.C. Ray — Scientist, Revolutionary, the Creator of Daab Sherbet
A vivid feature drawing on Prof. Rajeev Singh's scholarship to retell P.C. Ray's story for a new generation of Indian readers.
Read article94 films screened at International Science Festival in Bhopal — India dominates prize list
Press coverage of the International Science Festival where Prof. Singh's work on P.C. Ray featured prominently.
Read articleRevolutionary in the Garb of a Scientist
Revolutionary in the Garb of a Scientist
Prof. Rajeev Singh served as the Content Research Expertfor this Bollywood-directed feature on Acharya P.C. Ray — a film that premiered as the inaugural film at the 12th National Science Film Festival, 2022.
Read press coverageInaugural film at the 12th National Science Film Festival 2022 — a national platform for high-quality science filmmaking curated by the Government of India.
Content Research Expert — Prof. Rajeev Singh guided the historical, scientific and cultural accuracy of every scene depicting P.C. Ray's life and work.
The film reintroduced a generation of Indian audiences to the swadeshi scientist who founded Bengal Chemicals in 1901 and refused all imperial honours.
Scholarly writing
Master of Nitrites: Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray
A close reading of P.C. Ray's landmark chemistry on nitrites — the work that first placed India on the world's chemistry map.
Read full articlePeer-reviewed paper on Acharya P.C. Ray
Published in the Bulletin of the Vigyan Academy — India's National Institute of Science Communication & Policy Research (CSIR-NISCPR).
Read full articleRevolutionary in the Garb of a Scientist
Popular feature carrying the story of P.C. Ray's swadeshi science to Science India's national readership.
Read full articleCoffee-table feature (Vijnana Bharati)
A coffee-table book version of this edition was gifted to every one of the thousands of participants at India International Science Festival, Goa, 2021.
Read full articlePublic lectures & conversations
Prof. Rajeev Singh on Acharya P.C. Ray — Public Talk
Public lecture on the life and science of the father of Indian chemistry.
Revisiting the Legacy of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray
In-depth conversation exploring P.C. Ray's chemistry, ethics and swadeshi spirit.
P.C. Ray Commemoration — Live Session
Live-streamed tribute organized in honour of Acharya P.C. Ray.
Take this legacy further.
If you are a teacher, filmmaker, journalist, PhD scholar or a student working on Acharya P.C. Ray, please write in. Prof. Rajeev Singh is happy to share source material, references and interview footage.